The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Metro Digital Limited over an alleged illegal rebroadcast of Multichoice Nigeria Limited content.
The company was brought before Justice A.T. Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday on an amended four-count charge involving cybercrime and unlawful interception of broadcast signals.
According to the EFCC in a statement on its X handle, the prosecution counsel, Steve Odiase, informed the court that the matter was ready for arraignment, while the defence counsel, S.A. Somairi, SAN, objected and attempted to halt proceedings.
However, the court dismissed the objection and ordered that the plea be taken in line with Section 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which states that “where a corporation is called upon to plead to any charge or information framed under the provisions of this Act or charge or information added to or altered under the provisions of this Act, it may enter in writing by its representative a plea of guilty or not guilty.”
One of the charges alleges that: “That you Metro Digital Limited (RC NO. 501134), Ifeanyi John Nwafor being the Managing Director of Metro Digital Limited (RC NO. 501134) (at large) and Ikenna Kanu, being a member of staff of Metro Digital Limited (RC NO. 501134) (at large), between 2015 and 2019, at Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: unlawful interceptions and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section … (1) of the same Act.”
Another count states: “That you Metro Digital Limited (RC NO. 501134), Ifeanyi John Nwafor being the Managing Director of Metro Digital Limited (RC NO. 501134) (at large) and Ikenna Kanu, being a member of staff of Metro Digital Limited (RC NO. 501134) (at large), on or about 16th day of August, 2019, at Port Harcourt, Rivers State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did intentionally and without authorisation intercept by technical means and rebroadcast tiger boxes, dongles, etc., over which Multichoice Nigeria Limited have exclusive rights in sub-Saharan Africa and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 12(1) of the same Act.”
The EFCC alleged that the firm and some staff members illegally accessed and rebroadcast Multichoice content between 2015 and 2019 without authorisation.
The company, through its representative, pleaded “not guilty” to all charges.
The prosecution requested a trial date, after which Justice Mohammed adjourned the case to June 29 and 30, 2026, for continuation of hearing.
The investigation reportedly began in 2019 after Multichoice lodged a complaint with the EFCC, claiming significant financial losses due to the alleged illegal broadcasts.
